I have published the New York Probate Lawyer Blog for many years with the goal of providing the internet community with New York Estate Planning, Probate, Surrogate’s Court and Guardianship information. My blog, along with my website, contains hundreds of pages of helpful data obtained over my 40 years of representing clients in these areas of the law.
The COVID-19 pandemic presents a brand-new experience for me and for my clients and the internet community. However, despite being temporarily unable to physically go into my midtown Manhattan office, I am ready, willing and able, as always, to provide free consultations and formal representation to assist with matters that are very personal and important to clients and the community. Do not hesitate to call or email me.
Over the years I have helped countless individuals and families prepare their estate plans, probate a loved one’s Last Will, obtain an Administrator for an intestate estate, establish kinship, contest a Will and obtain a Guardian for an incapacitated person.
It is indeed an unusual circumstance that the Surrogate’s Courts are now closed due to the health emergency. I appear in all the local Courts regularly. However, if you have an issue that is pending or has just begun – CALL ME – we can begin the process of analysis and preparation so that your matter can be addressed by the Court as soon as the health emergency is resolved. The Courts are also available now for emergency filings.
I have been researching a lot of internet information and it is clear that the present situation is going to be resolved over time. It also may present an opportunity to clarify or establish a current estate plan.
A recent article written by David Andreatta on March 24, 2020 at Rochester City Newspaper.com entitled “Estate planning, health proxies spike amid pandemic”, provides some beneficial information. As noted in the article, people want to update their Last Wills, check on beneficiary designations and prepare advance directives such as powers of attorney and health care proxies. Contact me now if you need more insight into these matters. My Blog has discussed the need to review and revise beneficiary designations since they can override provisions in a Will and easily confuse or destroy an otherwise well-planned estate. Also, old Will provisions can become outdated and not state a testator’s present intent. More importantly, if there is no Will, the intestacy laws of New York State are going to control the manner by which an estate is distributed. Such distribution may not be in accordance with a person’s intentions.
The COVID-19 situation should not be a cause for panic. I work with my clients to solve their probate, estate and Guardianship issues in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties. My telephone number and email are available for direct 24/7 reference to me. Stay safe.
New York Trusts and Estates Attorney Jules Martin Haas has helped many clients over the past 40 years resolve issues relating to Guardianship and probate and estate settlement throughout New York City including the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Nassau and Suffolk County. If you or someone you know has any questions regarding these matters, please contact me at (212) 355-2575 for an initial free consultation.